Lock-controlled electric switch



April 17, 1928. 1,666,320

F. J. WATTS LOCK CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 3, 1927 6 5 W fii i 125 I; d I T /5/ 27",

' r /6- H i I 1 l4 V/ I UM t X Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FELIX J. WATTS, 01 BRONSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HARRY A. DOUGLAS, 01'

BRONSON, MICHIGAN.

LOCK-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed August 8. 1927. Serial No. 210,337.

My invention relates to lock controlled electric switches and. is of particular use in connection with ignition circuits of internal combustion hydrocarbon engines employed in power plants of automotive vehicles, though the invention is not to be limited to an particular use to which it may be put.

he look which is included in the structure of my invention employs one or more detents serving to prevent the look from transmitting movement in the ansence of a proper key and to permit or enable such movement in the presence of a proper key. These detents are related to a motion communicating switch controlling bar which is operable by a key through the intermediation of a member which is preferably separately formed from both the bar and the key, this bar being related to the object that is to be moved, such as the contact arm of an ignition switch. I desirably employ three detents in association with this bar. Each of two of these detents is constrained to one position to prevent effective movement of the bar and is adjustable to another position by the proper key to free the bar of its restraining influence. The remainin detent is desirably constrained to a positlon in which it normally permits efi'ective movement of the bar and is adjustable to another position to prevent effective movement of the bar it it should happen to be operated by an improper key or in an effort to pick the lock.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the referred form of lock; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating one use of the invention.

The circuit shown includes a primary winding 1 which has one terminal grounded throu h a circuit breaker 2 whose contacts are s unted by a condenser 3. The other terminal of this winding is connected with a contact 4 carried upon one end of an arm 5 that is in the form of a bell crank and which is operable by the lock of my invention, as will appear. The contact 6 which is complemental to the contact 4 is grounded through the battery 7. The secondary windmg has one terminal grounded through the interrupter and has its other terminal connected with the revolving arm 9 of a distributor whose waiting contacts 10 are successively engaged by said arm. These wait- 1ng contacts are connected with the electrodes 11 of spark plugs or other gas igniting elements that are contained in the various cylinders of the internal combustion en tgine that is equipped with the ignition sys- The shaft 12 carries the switch arm 5 at the elbow of this arm. This shaft is journaled in a casing 13 of the locking mechamsm and carries a motion communicating or transmitting bar 14 by which the shaft and the switch arm 5 are turned. This motion communicating bar is preferably in the form of a plate havin slots or recesses 15, 16 and 17 formed t erein. The casing 13 is hollow where said bar 14 is located to permit the bar to be swung in order that it may turn said bar. Detents 18, 19 and are carried by an inner portion of the easmg 13. These detents are in the form of pins each having a head or flan e upon each end. The casing 13 is desira ly initially made in separate pieces that are welded or otherwise assembled after the parts enclosed thereby have been disposed for location therein. The lower heads or flanges 18, 19' and 20 are pressed upon by coiled springs 21, these springs serving, when free to function, to project the reduced lower ends 18', 19 20 of the pins into the channel 22 that extends through the lock casing 13 arallel to the shaft 12 and bar 14 and w ich is adapted to receive a kc 23. The key has a longitudinal slot 24 in one side thereof which is engageable with a rib 25 projecting into the channel 22 whereby the key is guided as it is inserted and removed from the lock casing. When the key is absent the flanges or heads 18 and 20 are placed out of register with the slots or recesses 15 and 17 so that the bar 14 may not then be moved,

the proper key serving to elevate the pins 18 and to brin their heads 18 and 20 into register with t e recesses 15 and 17 in order that the bar may be moved, The head 19 of the pin 19 is normally placed in re 'ster with the recess 16, the proper key 23 mg formed so as not to disturb the position of this pin. If, however, the im roper key is inserted which would move t e pin 19 to bring its head 19 out of register with the recess 16, such pin would prevent movement of said bar. The key employed has a ward formation which will elevate the pins 18 and 20 to bring their heads 18 and 20* into register with the corresponding recesses, the ward formation, however, not disturbing the position of the pin 19. Said ward formation also includes a portion 23'. which is engageable with the reduced end of a bar 0 era ting member 26 which is also prefer-a ly in the form of a pin having a flange or head 26 and a reduced key engageable end 26". A coiled spring 27 presses upon the head. or flange 26 to press the reduced end 26 in the path of the ke The up er end of the pin or member 26 as a cam. ormation 28 whlch is engageable with the end of the bell crank switch arm 5 that is remote from the contact 4. The arrangement illustrated is such that the bar 14 is adapted to be swung by the key in a direction to close the switch 4, 6 when the ignition circuit is to be employed. When the key is withdrawn, the spring 29 will open the switch, the switch being locked open until the proper key is again inserted.

Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a motion communicating bar; of an electric switch controlled by said bar; a detent constrained to one position to prevent effective movement of the bar and adjustable to another position to free the bar of its restraining influence; a member in moving relation with the bar when the bar is free of the detent;-

a key receiving element with which said detent and member are assembled; and a key having a Ward formation adapted to engage and move said detent to free it from the bar and to engage and then operate the bar actuating member.

2. The combination with a motion communicating bar; of an electric switch controlled by said bar; a detent constrained to one position to permit effective movement or the bar and adjustable to another osition to prevent efiective movement 0 the bar; a member in moving relation with the bar when the bar is free of the detent; a key receiving element with which said detent and member are assembled; and a key having a ward formation permitting said detent to remain free of the bar and engageable with said member to then move the bar. 1

3. The combination with emotion com municating bar; of an electric switch controlled by said bar; a detent constrained to one position to prevent effective movement of the bar and adjustable to another positin to free the'bar of its restraining influence; a second detent constrained to one position to permit efiective movement of the bar and adjustable to another position to prevent effective movement of the bar a member in moving relation with the bar when the bar is free of said detents; a key receiving element with which said detents and member are assembled; and a key having a ward formation adapted to engage and move the first detent to free it from the bar, to permit the second detent to remain in its constrained position and to enga e and then operate the bar actuating mem er.

4. The combination with a motion communicating bar mounted to turn and having a recess therein; of an electric switch controlled by said bar; a detent having a portion recelvable in said recess and constrained to one position to bring said detent portion out of register with said recess to prevent efl'ective movement of the bar and adjustable to another position to bring said detent portion into register with said recess to free the bar of its restraining influence; a member in moving relation with the bar when the bar is free of the detent; a key receiving element with which said detent and member are assembled; and a key having a ward formation adapted to engage and move said detent to free it from the bar and to engage and then operate the bar actuating member. 5. The combination with a motion communicating bar mounted to turn and having a recess therein; of an electric switch controlled by said bar; a detent having a portion receivable in said recess and constrained to one position to bring said detent portion into register with said recess to permit efiective movement of the bar and adjustable to another position to bring said detent out of register with said recess to prevent effective movement of the bar; a member in moving relation with the bar when the bar is free of the detent; a key receiving element with which said detent and member are assembled; and a key having a ward formation permitting said detent to remain free of the bar and engageable with said member to then move the bar.

6. The combination with a motion communicating bar mounted to turn and having two recesses therein; of an electric switch controlled by said bar; a detent having a portion receivable in one of said recesses and constrained to one position to bring said detent portion out of register with said recess to prevent edective movement of the bar and adjustable to another position to bring this detent portion out of register with said reand move the first detent to free it from the cess to prevent eflective movement of the bar, to permit the second detent to remain bar; a member in moving relation with the in its constrained osition and to engage and 10 bar when the bar is free of said detents; a then operate the ar actuating member.

5 key receiving element with which said de- In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe tents and member are assembled; and a key my name. having a ward formation adapted to engage FELIX J. WATTS. 

